Ash receiver



April 1959 D. LOOKHOLDER 2,880,736

ASH RECEIVER Filed Aug. 29, 1955 IN V EN TOR.

United State Pa ASH RECEIVER David Lookholder, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,193 4 Claims. (Cl. 131-242) and easily be engaged with and removed from the container. 1

Second, to provide an ash receiver, the container of which may be an emptied can and discarded after use 'and thereby eliminating emptying and cleaning.

Third, to provide a unit of this character which is highly advantageous as an advertising medium for the original contents of the container.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description tofollow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in' the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an ash receiver embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form or embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view partially in vertical section on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 4.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a base member 1, a container or receptacle 2 and a top 3. The base member 1 is molded of flexible resilient material, rubber being indicated but it may be of suitable flexible resilient synthetic materials.

The base member 1 is provided with an upstanding annular flange 4 formed integrally therewith and adapted to expandably and resiliently embrace the bottom rim 5 of the container 2. The annular portion 6 of the base member at the outer side of the flange 4 constitutes a finger piece which may be grasped to bendably flex the base member thereby facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the container with the resilient flange of the base 4. This bending or flexing is indicated at 7 in Fig. 5.

The top member 3 is also formed of molded flexible resilient material, rubber being indicated. The top member is provided with a downwardly projecting annular flange 8 adapted to resiliently embrace the top rim 9 of the container 2. The flange 8 is spaced inwardly from the outer edge of the top member, the annular portion 10 of the top member at the outer side of the flange constituting a finger piece which may be conveniently grasped to facilitate the engagement and disengagement of the top member with the container substantially the same as the base is engaged with the container. The diameter of the opening in the top member is desirably less than but approximately that of the container.

ice.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the gridlike ash remover and snuifer element 11 has a central opening 12 of such diameter as to permit the passing therethrough of cigarette and cigar stubs into the container. The outer edge of this element 11 is embedded or molded into the top member as is shown at 13 in Fig. 3. In this preferred embodiment the element 11 is molded of plastic. It does not interfere with the flexing of the top member for engagement and disengagement with the container.

In the preferred embodiment the top member is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced cigarette or cigar holders 14 which are molded integral with the top member, as is clearly illustrated in the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the base member 15 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced container holders 16 formed integrally therewith instead of the continuous flange of the preferred embodiment. The base member 15 is likewise formed of resiliently flexible molded material and the holders 16 releasably engage the bottom of the container 2.

The top member 17 has angularly spaced holder members 18 of the same general character as the holder member 16 of the base.

In this embodiment the ash remover and snufler element 19 is formed of a section of wire screen and has a central opening 20 through which stubs may be introduced into the container. The outer edges of the element 19 are moldably embedded in the top member as is the case in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3. The ash removing element is positioned between the top and bot tom edges of the top opening and above the plane of the angularly spaced holders 18. The cigar or cigarette holders of the embodiment of Figs. 4 and 5 are the same as in the embodiment of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The base and top members are desirably made of such dimensions as to receive emptied cans, for example, beer cans as is indicated by the legend on Fig. 1. The purpose of this is twofold, namely providing an advertising means and also enabling the use of emptied cans as containers so that the filled containers may be thrown away and a clean can substituted rather than requiring cleaning of the container. However, it is apparent that an ornamental container may be used if desired.

While the parts of the receivers may be economically produced the assembled receivers are attractive in appearance. The holders 14 are positioned so that any ash falling from a cigar or cigarette placed therein drops into the container.

I have illustrated and described my invention in two practical embodiments thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate and describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An ash tray comprising a cylindrical container open at the top and provided with an outwardly projecting rim, an anular top member of flexible material and of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the container and having an integral annular downwardly projecting flange disposed intermediate the inner and outer edges thereof and expandably releasably embracing the top of the container with the container top rim engaged therewith, the portion of the top member at the outer side of the rim being of substantial width and constituting a fingerpiece, the opening in the top member being of less diameter than but approximating the diameter of the container, and a relatively rigid grid-like scraper element having a central opening therein disposed within m? the opening in said top member with its edges retainingly embedded in the inner edge of the top member in a plane above the said flange thereof and constituting a reinforcing element therefor, said top member having integral angularly spaced pairs of projections on its top side constituting cigarette or cigar holders and constituting reinforcing members for the top member, the surface of the top member being otherwise flat.

2. An ash tray comprising a cylindrical container open at the top and provided with an outwardly projecting top rim, an anular top member of flexible material and of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the container and having an integral annular downwardly projecting flange disposed intermediate the inner and outer edges thereof and expandably releasably embracing the top of the container with. the container top rim engaged therewith, the portion of the top member at the outer side of the rim being of substantial Width and constituting a fingerpiece, the opening in the top member being of less diameter than but approximating the diameter of the container, and a relatively rigid grid-like scraper element having a central opening therein disposed within the opening in said top member with its edges retainingly embedded in the inner edge of the top member in a plane above the said flange thereof and constituting a reinforcing element therefor.

3. An ash tray comprising a cylindrical container open at the top, an annular top member of flexible material and of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the container and having an integral annular downwardly projecting flange disposed intermediate the inner and outer edges thereof and expandably releasably embracing the top of the container, the portion of the top member at the outer side of the rim being of substantial width and constituting a fingerpiece, the opening in the top member being of less diameter than that of the container, and a relatively rigid grid-like scraper element having a cen- A} tral opening therein disposed with the opening in said top member with its edges retainingly embedded in the inner edge of the top member in a plane above the said flange thereof and constituting a reinforcing element therefor.

4. An ash tray comprising a cylindrical container open at the top, an annular top member of flexible material and of a diameter substantially exceeding that of the container and having an integral annular downwardly projecting flange disposed intermediate the inner and outer edges thereof and expandably releasably embracing the top of the container, the opening in the top member being of less diameter than that of the container, and a relatively rigid grid-like scraper element having a central opening therein disposed within the opening in said top member with its edges retainingly embedded in the inner edge of the top member in a plane above the said flange thereof and constituting a reinforcing element there- I01.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 108,631 Webster Mar. 1, 1938 862,953 Westlake Aug. 13, 1907 1,635,395 Boe July 12, 1927 1,985,558 Alexander Dec. 25, 1934 2,152,285 Schirmer Mar. 28, 1939 2,157,255 Bumpass May 9, 1939 2,158,770 Bartlett May 16, 1939 2,175,603 Hartmann Oct. 10, 1939 2,440,387 Weddle Apr. 27, 1948 2,591,482 WeltliCh Apr. 1, 1952 2,722,347 Henke Nov. 1, 1955 2,731,013 Holmes Jan. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 574,411 Great Britain Jan. 3, 1946 

